Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow. – Helen Keller

As some of you know, I live in the UK and I am a great outdoors enthusiast. I find it hard to pass a chance to go out there and explore, especially when the weather is merciful, sunny and all kinds of nice. Trust me, it is rare in the UK so any sunny day is considered here as a true blessing and is greatly appreciated.

England is well known for its astonishingly beautiful nature, dramatic seashore lines, amazing beaches, national parks, beautiful rural villages with a deep history going way back to the beginning of times; amazing castles on lakes, mountains and many more… I feel blessed living in this amazing country and I would be honored to share some stories about my tiny and big discoveries.

Over the years I traveled through the country discovering amazing rural places that some people will never find in casual travel guides. “Travel Corner” category was left in a shadow and I think it’s about time to give it a boost and share our stories of great outdoors, traveling, adventures, tips and discoveries. If you have stories about traveling out and about, I would be more than honored to feature them on HavingTime.

Starting from one of the most amazing places in Great Britain: New Forest National Park. 

Why I Love New Forest National Park

There is something unexplainably enchanting about the New Forest. When you hire a bike and ride through its countless trails passing amazing trees that  were around for centuries and admire astonishingly beautiful landscapes; breathing in pure air – it makes your head go spinning especially if you live in a busy city being deprived of any contact with nature. I did some horse riding back in the days and for me to see wild horses going untamed and peaceful about their day was one of the wonders to see… They are absolutely adorable and will never pass a chance to be pet by people especially if you have a bag of carrots on you 🙂 which they love and greatly appreciate.

Horses are absolutely amazing creatures. We were walking through forest and stopped for a quick rest. I was sitting and contemplating on the beauty of the forest and just like that a little buddy came along and laid down right next to me. And I thought to myself how easy some creatures find it in their nature to go and establish connection with people. 

Ever since I visited New Forest for the first time a year ago I was dreaming to go back. This winter in the UK was mild yet stormy and after almost 3 months of never stopping rain and floods that we experienced, I even more hopelessly wished for the weather to get its grip. And it did. And I felt compelled to hire a bike and to go deeper into the forest and explore.

What I love the most about British families is how eager and enthusiastic most of them are to get together (even with the smallest infants) and be in contact with mother nature creating fun memories together and forgetting for a while about busy schedules and challenges of their business week. They simply go and enjoy themselves and that is wonderful.

I appreciate it because as I was growing up I find it hard to recall any time spent together doing something fun with my mum and dad. I have no memories of being together as a family having a good time, to be honest. That is why it means so much to me in the family of my own.

So if you are around in the UK or planning to visit New Forest National Park trust me it is a must-see-destination for great outdoors and fun. Here are the fun things to do in New Forest.

Hire a bike, go and explore.

For me, giant sequoia trees are one of the most amazing types of trees on Earth and due to my extended ignorance, I always thought that they are only to be seen in the Yosemite National Park. I was wrong. I found them in New Forest too.

Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces,I would still plant my apple tree. – Martin Luther 

If you are planning your weekend to be spent in the New Forest National Park it is a good idea to get there as early as possible and pre-order your bikes. We were lucky and we hired the last 2 bikes at short notice. It is also beneficial to think through your route, which we didn’t, got a little bit lost and ended up pedaling 23 km up and down hills in 4 hours…

And hey, theres nothing like to find a Great British Pub at the end of your great outdoors adventure… :-]